Nuclear Research Laboratory, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012.
* Present addresses: * Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012.
Electron microscopic examination of clay size fractions ot some soils separated by sonification revealed the occurrence of two types of bioliths, (Diatoms and Cocoliths) both of plant origin, viz. phytoliths. Different types of silicious frustules (shells) of diatoms (Bacillariophyta) have been detected. Evidence of disintegration of these silicious frustules were also observed. Pore size r.ange on the frustules have been measured. Cocolith, a calcite phytolith, originating from a marine algae (Cocolithopores) was also found to occur in one of the soils.
Bioliths, diatoms, cocolith
